ECB Decision Time, IMF Slashing, Trade Wars Drag On: Eco Day

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Welcome to Wednesday, Europe. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help get your day started:

• The European Central Bank is on high alert with all the economic growth dangers percolating as they meet Wednesday to decide policy; meanwhile, a potential year-long Brexit delay offers fresh risks for U.K. markets
• Dark economy. The International Monetary Fund again slashed its global growth outlook, now at its bleakest since the last financial crisis, and warned that conditions in Venezuela were akin to war-ruined Bosnia. While IMF forecasts matter, here’s a test of how accurate the predictions are
• Pile-on. U.S. President Donald Trump is signaling his trade wars are far from over
• Sliver of hope. Japanese machinery orders pulled off a gain in February for its first time in four months
• Improvement signs. More early indicators of Chinese economic health are flashing green in March, according to Bloomberg Economics analysis
• Even though calls are growing for the Fed to cut interest rates and U.S. inflation is weakening, central bankers are unlikely to be swayed. Minutes of the Fed’s recent policy meeting, due to be released on Wednesday, could hold more clues

To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Singapore at mjamrisko@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Karthikeyan Sundaram, Tuhin Kar

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